Chapter 2

DITCHES

Description

Ditches are constructed to convey water from storm runoff to an adequate outlet. A good ditch is
shaped and lined using the appropriate vegetative or structural material and does not cause
flooding, erosion, or sedimentation. Energy dissipating structures to reduce velocity, dissipate
turbulence, or to flatten flow grades in ditches are often necessary.

Importance to Maintenance & Water Quality

Efficient disposal of runoff from the road will help preserve the road bed and banks. Well
vegetated ditches slow, control, and filter runoff providing an opportunity for sediments to be
removed from the runoff water before it enters surface waters. In addition, a stable ditch will not
become an erosion problem itself. Ideally, “turn-outs” (intermittent discharge points also called
“tail ditches”) will help maintain a stable velocity and the proper flow capacity within the road
ditches by timely outleting water from them. This will help alleviate roadway flooding, reduce
erosion, and thus reduce maintenance problems. In addition, properly placed “turn-outs” help
distribute roadway runoff and sediments over a larger vegetative filtering area, helping to reduce
the amount of road ditch maintenance required to remove caught-up sediment.

Ditch Profile and Grading

General

Roadway ditch location, profile, shape, lining and outlets effect how efficiently water will be
removed from the roadway. Ideally ditches should resist erosion, be self cleaning, and discharge
onto nearly level vegetated areas, thus maximizing the length of time between regrading, thereby
reducing maintenance costs. As shown in figure 2-1, ditches should be located on the uphill side
of the roadway to prevent runoff water from flowing onto and over the road surface.

Figure 2-1. Hillside Pitch of Roadway and Proper Ditch Location

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Excavate roadway ditches at a bottom elevation 1 to 2 feet below the road base. The ditch
bottom should be rounded-V shaped (preferred), parabolic, or flat, as shown in figure 2-2, and at
least 2 feet wide to disperse the flow and slow the velocity. Do not construct U-shaped ditches.
U-shaped ditches actually have up to 30 percent less drainage capacity than other shapes and they
tend to look messy. Their steep sides make maintenance difficult and the sides tend to cave in,
compounding maintenance problems and adding to erosion and sedimentation.

Figure 2-2. Common Ditch Shapes

Where possible, install “turn-outs” (“tail-ditches”) to help maintain a stable velocity and the
proper flow capacity within the road ditches by timely outleting water from them. See Figure 2-3
below. These structures are critical elements in establishing and maintaining a stable unpaved
roadway drainage system. It is imperative that landowners adjacent to these roadways allow
water to be discharged in this manner at crucial points. Correspondingly, these turn-out points
must be stabilized to prevent creating worse erosion problems such as gullies. In many cases, the
discharged runoff can be spread to reduce the erosive energy of concentrated flows.

Figure 2-3. Typical Locations for “Turnouts” (“Tail Ditches”)

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No ditch on the uphill side of the roadway can allow runoff to overflow the roadway. This leads to surface
erosion of the roadway, such as these corrugating rills, and often to complete washouts. Road surface
overflow is a significant contributor to sedimentation, especially during high runoff events.

Exhibit 2.1 - Proper Ditch Location

Flat Bottom (Trapezoidal) Shaped Ditch V-Shaped Ditch

U-Shaped Ditch Rounded V-Shaped Ditch

Exhibit 2.2 - Common Ditch Shape Examples

Motor graders can be used to create and maintain tail ditches, however, backhoes and dozers can
be more efficient and leave much less loose and disturbed soil which is easily and readily washed
out.

Exhibit 2.3 - Tail Ditch/Turn-Out Construction with a Motor Grader

Turn-out to a drop inlet. Turn-out at gradient changes. Turn-out before bridges.

Turn-outs into filtering areas.

Turn-outs/Tail ditches outlet water from roadway ditches to maintain a stable flow volume and
velocity within the ditches. They can be placed at specific and selected sites to protect down
gradient structures such as bridges and culverts, or to utilize specific erosion control or storm water
discharge facilities.

Exhibit 2.4 - Turn-outs/Tail Ditches

Line ditches which have a channel slope less than 5% with grass, and line those which have a 5%
or greater channel slope with geo-fabric or aggregate filter underlain riprap or other material
(Concrete lining is not recommended on unpaved roads in the CPYRWMA area due to the highly
erosive sandy soils and the potentially volatile nature of unpaved road degradation during
intense storms common to this area). Line ditches as soon as possible to prevent erosion and to
maintain the ditch profile. Whenever possible, excavate ditch only as far as lining can catch up
before the next expected or potential rainfall event.

All ditches should have appropriate outlets which allow water to completely drain from them.
Standing water in ditches against road fill weakens the roadway. The preferred equipment for
creating ditches is a rubber-tired excavator with an articulated bucket. A well designed and
constructed road ditch can be cleaned with a grader or excavator making maintenance quicker,
easier, and less costly.

Other Applications

Diversion ditches and berms may be used as structures to intercept, consolidate, and direct or
redirect runoff at the top of a slope to prevent gullies and rills on slopes, or across the slope to
break up the slope length or redirect water flow. These ditches and berms should be located
where the outlet will empty onto a stable disposal area. Ditches and berms may be used in
combination where runoff is significant and/or hard to control.

Cleaning & Maintenance

Check all ditches, including “tail-ditches” and “turn-outs”, after major storm events, as the
storms may have caused obstructions, erosion, or bank collapse. Have a post-storm plan for
checking for damage and determining maintenance needs.

Clean out ditches, when they become clogged with sediments or debris, to prevent ponding, bank
overflows, and road washouts. Re-grade ditches only when absolutely necessary and line with
vegetation or stone as necessary. Re-grading of ditches should be limited to late spring or
summer, after spring rains have diminished and drier weather has set in, and when vegetation can
re-establish itself. Other times may be suitable depending on weather patterns, work to be
performed, and exigency of work to be done. The main concern is to limit disturbance to the
ditches during times of high erosion potential.

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